A concert by Muse could never be described as being an understated one. When the band arrived at the Manchester Arena on their current Will of the People tour, they delivered a sensory performance that was a feast for both the ears and eyes.

Seldom have I witnessed a rock concert where the light show not only complemented the music and enhanced it but also was worthy of a review in its own right. From flashing lights to a fire-lit emblem that glowed in time to the music, the attention to detail was impeccable.

The three piece has come a very long way since I first saw the band twenty-four years ago when they were supporting Skunk Annansie in a small club. With a sound that is big, bold, yet not bombastic, their music felt appropriately placed in an arena setting.

As the show kicked off with Will of the People, a glam rock drum beat provided by drummer Dominic Howard, a rock steady and swaggering bass line by Chris Wolstenholme, along with Matt Belamy’s falsetto vocals, heralded the arrival of one of Britain’s top bands.

This was a well-oiled machine that showed no flaws, from the giant robotic head at the back of the stage to the pyrotechnics and confetti cannons that showered the audience—no one could have accused the band of being short-changed.

The theme running throughout seemed to be one of control and paranoia based somewhere in the sci-fi future, with a soundtrack of elements of prog rock and heavy metal.

Naturally, the big songs were saved until the end, as Supermassive Black Hole, Plug in Baby, and Starlight sounded even better in tonight’s arena setting than on record.

As the video screens displayed the words of Knights of Cydonia in karaoke style, they were not required as the audience appeared to already know the track, judging from their enthusiasm.

Bellamy thrashed his guitar into the amps, Pete Townshend style, before the house lights went on, though there was no doubting that those present had experienced a masterclass in presentation, performance, and precision.